How healing and helping stories help

'Healing and helping stories' help young children understand real world events around them. This can help them feel less stressed. Birdie’s Tree books are healing and helping stories that help young children understand that:

• a natural disaster isn't their fault
• they're safe and loved
• things will get better and hard times will end
• adults will look after them
• it’s okay to have and talk about 'big feelings' like worry, sadness, fear or anger.

Storybooks help children understand how they feel. They also help them cope with upsetting events and sad or scary feelings.

How to read with young children

When you read with children, help them connect with the story by:

• making sounds for things like wind and rain
• making faces to show the feelings in the book such as frowning when Birdie feels angry
• changing your tone of voice, for example using a higher pitched voice for Birdie than for Mr Frog.

When you read to your child, they might want to talk about how they're feeling. Encourage them to talk about feelings, but don't force them if they're not ready. Some children might like to cuddle and sit close when reading.

It's okay to change the words in the book a bit to suit you and your child. Play and art can also help a child work through their feelings.

Watch our conversational reading video to learn more.

Reading with babies

It’s good to read with babies from an early age. Reading can soothe babies and help them with future learning. It also helps you bond with your baby.

When you read with babies:

• point to the pictures as you read the words
• use a calm, soothing voice
• talk about what your baby is looking or pointing at.

Reading with toddlers

Toddlers like to get involved when you read with them. They like to point at the pictures and talk about what they see.

When you read with toddlers:

• describe the pictures to help them with their talking skills
• encourage them to talk and ask questions about what they see
• listen to what they say and answer their questions.

It’s important your toddler knows you care about what they're saying. You can help by telling them it’s okay to talk about what they remember or feel.

Reading with preschool children

Children in preschool and early primary school like to help read a story with you or read it on their own.

When you read with them:

• talk with them about the book
• encourage them to read out loud to you
• help them with big words
• tell them they're doing a good job.

Reading with groups

Group reading can be fun for young children at kindergarten, school or libraries.

You can encourage children to get involved in the story by:

• making the sounds in the story such as wind or rain
• acting out parts of the story, for example using their hands to make shapes.

When reading with a group:

• make sure each child can see the book and hear your voice
• help children talk about Birdie and Mr Frog's feelings
• encourage quiet children to get involved
• recognise when each child contributes
• use music or songs such as 'If you're happy and you know it' at the start and end of the reading group
• play games after reading the story to increase the children's learning.

Some children may be sensitive to loud sounds. Make sure you think about each child’s needs in group reading.

You might like to use the Birdie and Mr Frog hand puppets to bring the story to life. You can buy the puppets for $15 each plus shipping.